The Impact of Technology on Emerging Economies: Clean Tech November 3, 2008

SDForum International SIG, November 3, 2008

The Impact of Technology on Emerging Economies: Clean Tech

As part of our ongoing series on the impact of technology on emerging economies, please join us for our third installment focused on clean technology.

It is impossible to ignore the growing clean tech boom in Silicon Valley and the increasing wave of innovation from electric sports cars to clean coal, new photovoltaic technology and beyond. Yet, in this growing clean tech hotbed, it is vital not to ignore the needs of the developing world: 2 billion people without electricity and 1.2 billion without easy access to clean water. The World Bank estimates that over the next 20 years, 60% of the increasing world demand for energy will come from the developing world. Inadequate access to clean energy and water has a major impact on poverty, health and climate change.

One of the greatest challenges of our time is how to deploy clean technology in the developing world that is both affordable and effective. Increasingly, innovative entrepreneurs are using a market based approach and Silicon Valley expertise to successfully distribute water purifiers, LED lighting and a variety of other energy solutions to the “Base of the Pyramid” in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Join us as we examine the issues surrounding energy and water in the developing world, the technological challenges, real business opportunities and the increasing role for Silicon Valley innovation.

Speakers:

Kurt Kornbluth

* Director, UC Davis Program for International Energy
* Energy specialist, Humdinger Wind Energy LLC

Kurt Kuhlmann

* CTO, Meridian Design
* CTO, D-Rev (Design for the other 90%)

Agenda
6:30-7:00 Registration/Networking/Refreshment
7:00-8:00 Presentations & discussion
8:00-8:30 Q & A
8:30-9:00 Networking
9:00 PM Program ends

Location:

Orrick
1100 Marsh Rd.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Note: It is the front building on the left.

Official Website: http://www.sdforum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Calendar.eventDetail&eventID=13135